Traquair - Beyond Borders festival

We drove in the van over the border for the Beyond Borders Festival.

The first discussion was with New York Times journalist Amanda Taub, and beyond Conflict CEO Tim Phillips talking to Oscar Gisrdiola-Rivera about the impact of social media on democracy. Such clever people

Next was UN diplomat Staffan Mistura on his life dedicated to pursuing peace in Sudan and Syria. So entertaining but very serious in his passion to help the people who are suffering due to war. A woman from Kashmir asked why there her family are living in such awful times but nobody seems to care. The women from Syria and elsewhere told heartbreaking stories.

After a break we heard historian Tom Devine talk about his book on The Scottish Clearances which took place in the Borders long before the more famous Highland clearances. He rambled a bit.

We listened as political commentators Steve Richards, Sarah Smith and James Naughtie explored the current state of UK politics. James Naughtie thinks things are afoot in Parliament to stop a no deal and I think he'd know. However he admits those involved will have to resolute.

We are shattered from the heat in the marquee and all the concentration. We met our friend Alan who we first met in Kyrgyzstan. He's just back from Ukraine where he went to Chernobyl.

We hope they don't move us out of the car park field.

The blip is of the bear gates to Traquair, the house which has the longest habitation of any house by the same family in this country. These gates were closed on the departure of Bonnie Prince Charlie after he lost at Culloden and won't be opened again till a Stuart is once again on the throne.